Betty Miller plays with juggling sticks at the celebration of Lakewood on Friday afternoon at the Jefferson County Stadium. The sun was a welcome sight after the skies opened up earlier as the festivities got underway.

LAKEWOOD — This city’s 40th anniversary bash came under heavy assault late Friday afternoon by torrential rains and lighting.

But Lakewood residents, for the most part, hung tough at the Jefferson County Stadium, vowing to attend the entire celebration despite soaked heads and umbrellas.

“I’m staying as long as they hold it,” said Peggy Perea, a 25-year resident of Lakewood. Perea and the 500 or so anniversary revelers headed for cover under large tents or overhanging eaves at the stadium when the rains hit.

The celebration started at 4 p.m. with a kids gymnastic exhibition and booths for food and beverages. The Steve Weist Jazz Trio played as revelers enjoyed barbecue, soft drinks and beer.

But shortly thereafter, a smattering of drops quickly turned into horizontal sheets of rain as thunder blasted overhead and lighting shot through the murky sky just above the stadium.

It rained hard for about 45 minutes before the sun began poking through the clouds. Perea sat under her umbrella and watched for her family, including her 5-month-old grandbaby.

Perea was happy to wait because she wanted to show her support for a community she has grown to love, she said. Incorporated in 1969, Lakewood’s population already was over 90,000, making it one of the largest cities at the time of original incorporation in U.S. history.

Currently, the city’s population is about 148,000. Still, it has a small-town friendliness, Perea said. “It’s good. The crime is not bad, and everyone, it seems, gets along,” she said.

A few families left in the middle of the downpour while others waited it out in hopes of seeing fireworks about 9:30 p.m.

“All of this will be long gone before then,” said Christine Laursen, who volunteered to usher people into the stadium.

She agreed with officials who wanted to continue with the event, even though the stadium was saturated.

“Not that many people left, and I know people want to stay and celebrate what a nice community this is,” Laursen said. “There’s a lot of nice things that go on here.”